Retired Navy veteran Oscar Morris hails from a military family and has dedicated his post-military life to assisting his fellow veterans through his lifelong passion for woodworking. Eight years after retiring from the Navy, Morris, a Floridian, was inspired by his mother’s service-oriented values to use his woodworking skills to change the world.
His mother, a police officer, instilled in him the habit of serving others. “My mother taught us to use the talents given by God to change the world,” Morris told Epoch Times. After his father passed away, his mother raised him single-handedly, imparting on him the importance of using his skills to help others.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Morris demonstrated his woodworking prowess when he crafted a cane out of a neat piece of wood he found while fishing. After sharing a video of the cane on Facebook and offering to gift it to a fellow veteran, the touching gesture quickly went viral, leading to a flood of requests for similar canes.
With the overwhelming demand, Morris enlisted friends to help keep up with the orders, allowing him to continue using his woodworking skills to give back, just as his parents taught him. Despite the assistance, the project grew beyond his capacity, prompting Morris to pause orders after receiving 500 requests within a week.
Reflecting on his parents’ teachings about serving others, Morris made the decision to turn his veteran cane service into a non-profit organization, offering canes free of charge to veterans. He expressed gratitude for the community support, noting that they were able to operate without having to solicit funds door-to-door.
As for the materials used to create the canes, Morris revealed that the wood comes from donated Christmas trees. A friend working at a large hardware chain informed him of unsold Christmas trees, leading to Morris salvaging one tree and transforming it into a beautifully crafted cane.
Morris explained that it takes about a week to craft a cane from a Christmas tree, with additional time required if the wood retains moisture from being recently cut. Upon completion, he applies a smooth finish using a two-part epoxy resin, adorns it with service department stickers, and adds extra resin coatings for durability.
Setting his canes apart, Morris incorporates veterans’ service branch, unit names, and special awards received onto the canes, creating a personalized symbol of their military history. He views the canes as a “roadmap” showcasing the veteran’s journey.
Believing his canes bring a bit of magic, Morris expressed that while they may not physically heal, they can uplift spirits. The canes serve as conversation starters among veterans and have fostered emotional connections, with over 1,000 canes made so far.
Morris remains committed to his mission of giving back through his woodworking talents, emphasizing the value of sharing skills rather than just monetary aid. He finds joy in making a difference in the lives of fellow veterans, regardless of their tough exteriors, witnessing even the strongest soldiers moved to tears by his gesture.
He will continue using his gift to positively impact society, guided by the principle that generosity with one’s talents can be just as valuable, if not more, than monetary contributions. Morris’s dedication to honoring veterans with personalized canes serves as a testament to the enduring impact of selfless service.